Pillow



April 13 1926. 1,580,210

J. E.' MccULLocH PILLOW Filed March 10j 1925 atroz 11 @14 l Patented Apr. 13, 19,267.'

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TAKES E. IOCULLOCH, 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA.

PILLOW.

Application nea man 1o, 1925. 'serial No. 14,535.

To all whom fit may concern Be it known that I, J 'AMES E. MoCLLooH, a citizen of United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pillows, ofA which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The present invention relates to pillows, and aims to provide a novel and improve' pillow on which the head may rest comfortably, without pressure on the ear or the main arteries of the neck. By removing pressure on the very sensitive nerves of the ear and on the neck, this prevents the usual cramping of the ear and secures perfect circulation of the blood to the head. Both results are conducive to Sound and restful bottom of the pillow forming a base or web.

across said recess oropening to retain the pillow in shape and prevent it from spreading, without interfering with the ear or neck. A further object is the provision of such a pillow whichmay be inflated with air to the desired height or pressure for the comfort of the user, and whichwhen deflated will be flat so as to be readily stored;

AJstill further object is the provision of .such a pillow having means for accommodating one hand underneath the pillow, such as when the hand is placed below the head while resting or sleeping, and in order that the hand will aid in holding the pillow in place.

It is alsoan object of the invention to provide such a illow which vis simple in construction, which may be economically `manufactured, and whichwill be practical and eflicient in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in v1ew, which will 'be apparent as the descrip-tion proceeds1 the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

rlhe invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view of the pillow.

Fig. 2 is .a bottom view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of F'ig. 1.

Fig.4 is a perspective view of the pillow when deflated.

The pillow comprises a bottom 7 and a d top 8, each composed of a sheet of rubber or -other Suitable material. 'The bottom or Sheet 7 is composed of -material which is pliant ,and resilient, but which has little elasticity, vin order that the bottom 7 will remain substantially flat when the pillow is inflated, although the bottom 7 may be bent, folded or rolled up. Said bottom 7 may be reinforced by fabric embedded therein or by other means well known in the art of rubber. manufacture. The top or sheet 8 is of U-shape and has its edges cel'nented, vulcanized or otherwise secured, as at l), on the bottom 7, whereby the top 8 forms with the bottom 7 a UI-shaped inflatable hag-` which is provided atl a suitable point with a valve steni l0, similar to the valvestem of a pneumatic tire, but Suiliciently small soy as not to be in the way. When the bag 0r pillow is inflated'by blowing or forcing air through the stem 10, the top 8 of the pillow which is elastic will be bulged upwardly away from the bottom 7, and said top may be raised to different heights according to the amount of air injected into the pillow. This enables the height of the pillow and the pressure of air therein to be regulated, for the comfort of the user. lhc bottom 7 being relatively stiff, although flexible, will remainsubstantially fla-t when the pillow is inflated', in order that said bottom may bear flatly on the mattress or other support on which the pillow is placed.

The pillow or bag, when inflated, has the recess or opening 11 between the arms of the inflated portion, leaving a space in which the ear and surrounding portion of the head can be disposed, as well as the neck, as seen in Fi s. 1 and 3, thereby relieving the ear a'n neck of pressure, and preventing them from being cramped.

A transverse stra 12 is disposed `across the lower- Surface of) the bottom 7 and has its ends cemented, vulcanized or otherwise secured, as at 13, to the bottom '7. Said strap is adapted to accommodate one hand when inserted between the bottom 7 and strap 12, as seen in Fig. 2. This is convenient to enable the hand to be placed under the pillow while resting or sleeping, which is the habit of some persons. Thus, when placing the hand below the pillow7 with the hand inserted between the bottom and strap, the hand will aid in holding the pillow in place, and the strap l2 will also aid in holding the hand in position under the pillow.

It will also be noted that when the pillow is inflated the bottom 7 provides a web or base under the opening or recess 11 between the arms of the inflated portion or bag, to prevent the arms of said bag from spreading or separating, thereby eliminating the use of a case or envelope or other means for preventing the spreading or separating of the arms of the bag.

When the pillow is deflated, as seen in Fig. 4, the top 8 collapses flatly on the bottom 7, so that the pillow may be readily stored or put away` and it may also be folded or rolled up if desired.

The pillow may also be used when travelling, either as a cushion or head rest, inasmuch as the pillow may be conveniently carried in a suit-case or travelling bag when deflated.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. An inflatable pillow comprising an elastic top and a flat bottom, said bottom being composed of resilient material and being relatively stiff so as to remain flat under the inflated portion of the top when the pillow is inflated.

2. An inflatable pillow comprising an elastic top having a recess, and a flat boti tom, said bottom being of resilient material and being relatively stiff so as to remain substantially flat under the inflated portion of the top when the pillow is inflated, and said bottom extending under said recess to form a web.

3. An inflatable pillow comprising a flat bottom and an elastic top secured thereon to provide a U-shaped bag with a recess between the arms thereof, said bottom being of resilient material and being relatively stiff so as to remain substantially flat under the inflated portion of the top when the pillow is inflated, and said bottom also providing a web under said recess between the arms of the bag.

4. An inflatable pillow comprising a flat bottom, and an elastic top secured thereon, said bottom being` composed of resilient material and being comparatively thick, and said bottom having reinforcing fabric embedded therein, so that the bottom remains substantially fiat under the inflated portion of the top when the pillow is inflated.

5. An inflatable pillow comprising a flat bottom, an elastic top secured thereon, said bottom being of resilient material and being relatively stiff so as toremain substantially flat under the inflated portion of the top when the pillow is inflated, and a strap secured to said bottom and extending across the lower surface thereof to receive a hand placed under the bottom of the pillow.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

' JAM'ES E. MCCULLOCH. 

